The Museum of American Illustration is proud to announce an exhibit featuring the top fantastic artists from around the world as seen in the annual Spectrum. Created in 1993 by Cathy and Arnie Fenner to showcase fantastic-themed art work, Spectrum is now the leading resource for art directors, art buyers, and fans of the genre. Selected pieces are chosen by top jurors in the field and images are produced in the full color book printed annually.

The Spectrum exhibit features a selection of over 120 works from both legendary artists and talented newcomers from the last four annuals. Divided into seven categories, the exhibit showcases multi-media works including original art in both traditional and digital medium, video, 3D, comics and graphic novels. Artists include Julie Bell, Kinuko Y. Craft, Eric Fortune, William Basso, Brom, James Gurney, Tony DiTerlizzi, Terese Nielsen, Yuko Shimizu, Michael Whelan, Donato Giancola, John Jude Palencar, Phil Hale and many more. The artwork will be on display from September 1 through October 17, 2009. In conjunction with the exhibit the Society will hold an Opening Reception on Friday, September 11, 2009. Tickets are $40 for non-members and $35 for members, and are limited. A percentage of the proceeds from this exhibition will be donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk.

In conjunction with the SPECTRUM exhibit the Society will host ART OUT LOUD. Saturday, September 12 from 1-5pm. James Gurney, Sam Weber, Charles Vess, Donato Giancola, and Gregory Manchess will demonstrate their skills and techniques in an open forum. Refreshments included. $10 students, $20 members, $25 non-members.

Founded in 1901, the Society of Illustrators is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to “the promotion of the art of illustration- past, present and future.” It has over 1,000 members worldwide and is headquartered in an 1875 vintage carriage house in New York’s Upper East Side.

Light the Night is a nationwide two- to three-mile evening fundraising walk. The purpose of the walk is to raise funds to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. During this highly visible event participants carry illuminated balloons: white for cancer patients and survivors, red for family, friends and supporters, and gold in memoriam. Participants will “Light the Night” as they walk to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer. For more information about Light the Night, visit www.lightthenight.org/nyc